Why Do Cats Rub Up Against Things?

By: Christian Yost

May 5, 2009

We love it when our kitty comes up to us and strokes and rubs us with her chin. But did you know that this is one way that she communicates?

Cats are equipped with glands, located on the forehead, lips, front paws, and on their flanks and rears, that secrete pheromones. Pheromones, which are substances produced by animals, act as a form of chemical communication. Cats produce several different pheromones that send various signals and affect a number of different behaviors. One well known function of pheromones is to provide information about the cat’s reproductive status and receptivity to potential mates. Pheromones also are used to mark objects and territory and some signal comfort and familiarity. Pheromones are unique, like human fingerprints, and their deposition serves as a calling card of sorts.

Pheromones secreted by glands on the face seem to have a calming effect on cats.When cats rub their faces on various objects they leave their scent, which is reassuring to the cat and non-offensive to humans. Other cats passing the object will often stop and sniff, maybe even rubbing their faces on the object to leave their scent as well. Pheromones convey information to other cats, such as the identity of the cat (if familiar), when he was there, which direction he was headed, and even what kind of mood he was in. When we stroke our cats, or they rub up against our legs, we pick up these scents, too. That gives us a group scent identification.

Cats will also use contact to communicate urgency, from gentle reminders of feeding time to a demanding insistent rub. If you have more than one cat, you may notice them butting heads from time to time or rubbing their faces against each other. Only cats entirely comfortable with each other will engage in this type of mutual head butting (so-called bunting). The physical contact of head rubbing creates a potpourri of shared scents that help cats to feel more comfortable with each other and more secure in their home territory. Bunting may also be a signal of social rank.

Although cats have earned a reputation for being independent and aloof, it’s comforting to know that bunting is an affectionate gesture that reinforces a relationship based upon physical contact and aroma sharing. When your kitty rubs against you, he is in effect claiming you as his own.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Dangerous Foods: Are They Harmful to Your Cat?

By: Christian Yost

April 24, 2009

Americans spend over $10 billion dollars on pet food for our pets. Despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. However, certain foods can be dangerous to your pet causing varying degrees of illness. Some food is toxic due to ingredients and some by improper cooking, storage or poor hygiene.

Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol

. Exercise caution when drinks and pets are together. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs, and may even cause death. Signs can include odor of alcohol on the animal’s breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death.

Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums.

Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.

Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic. The toxic component in the avocado is “persin,” which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder actually consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium),congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.

Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate. For example, white chocolate has the lowest concentration of stimulants and baking chocolate or cacao beans have the highest concentration.

Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.

Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get “caffeine” toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious.

Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by hunched posture or “splinting” of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.

Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content and like other foods with high fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others causing gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether.

Grapes and Raisins. So far, about 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins have been officially reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount of grapes or raisins ingested has been between 9 ounces to 2 pounds, and dogs ingesting these large amounts have developed kidney failure. Aggressive, and sometimes prolonged, treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival; without treatment death is possible. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. For now, any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively, so contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion has occurred.

Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. However, it has been noted that as few as six to forty nuts in dogs have caused severe toxic signs. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hrs.

Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.

Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.

Onions or Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog’s diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient in onions and garlic, thiosulphate. Signs can begin immediately after eating the onion or a few days later. Large quantities of garlic need to be ingested before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions or garlic and receives no treatment.

All forms of onion and garlic are a problem. This includes raw, dehydrated, cooked, powders or those in foods. The most common source of onions for cats is in human baby food. Some baby foods have onion powder added for taste. When consistently fed baby food with added onion powder, signs of toxicity can develop. Many people use garlic pills as ‘natural’ flea control. The amount of garlic is low but if large amounts of the pills are ingested at one time, toxicity may occur.

Yeast Dough. When ingested, bread or yeast dough will “rise” in the stomach just as it would for bread. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced. There are two problems with yeast dough. The biggest problem is that the dough often rises to many times its size, expanding the pet’s stomach. The second problem is from the alcohol component, which can cause “alcohol toxicity.” Symptoms of vomiting, retching, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, depression or bloat is possible.

Please visit us at   www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

What is the latest on Feline Urinary Problems?

By: Christian Yost

April 19, 2009

Urinary problems can be caused by a variety of disorders including bladder stones, infections, urethral obstructions as well as a condition called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). FIC literally means an inflammation of the urinary bladder

in cats of unknown origin.

FIC is also called feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (FiLUTD) or feline urologic syndrome (FUS). FIC has been estimated to affect up to 1% of the cat population.

Common signs are urinating outside of the litter box, straining to urinate or blood in the urine.

Despite many years of research, the cause of FIC remains unknown. Factors that may play a role in the development of FIC include viruses, type of diet fed (especially dry food diets with high mineral content), stress, confinement to a strictly indoor environment, and genetic factors (longhaired cats, for example, seem to be more commonly affected).
A lot of time and research has gone into studying this disease.

1. First – fine out the underlying cause. Allow your vet to perform some basic tests to determine if stones or an infection is present. If an underlying condition is found, it should be treated.

2. Second, accept that there is no cure. This is something some cats will often have to battle with their entire lives. But there are some things you can do to help.

3. Third, do things that can help. These things may include:

Treatment often involves a change in diet from a dry food to a canned food.

Minimize stress in the home – if you have a dog your cat doesn’t like- make sure he or she has a provide place to escape such as a special room or upstairs.

Make sure your cats’ environment is stimulating. Ensure you have plenty of scratching posts, beds , interesting windows to look out, bird feeders, and toys.

Stimulate your cat by playing at least 10 minutes at LEAST once a day.

Offer plenty of fresh clean water. Add more bowls in different locations around your home. Top off the water bowls and periodically add ice cubes to stimulate drinking. Also, some cats love automatic waterers.

Clean up urine messes on the carpet or furniture well. Use a good quality product such as Zero Odor, Anti-icky Poo, Urine Off, etc. and use according to package directions. For more information on urine odor eliminators and instructions

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

The History of the Cat

By: Christian Yost

April 14, 2009

“A cat is a cat is a cat,” wrote E.E. Cummings. And history would seem to agree with this distinguished poet. According to earliest records, the first sign of domestication of the cat dates back 8,000 years ago when bones of cats, mice, and humans were found buried together on the island of Cyprus. Apparently our early relatives brought both the cats and the mice to Cyprus with them: the cats on purpose, the mice perhaps as stowaways.

The cat family can trace their genealogy back to ancient Cyprus and Egypt. Unlike the domestication of the dog pack animals with a built-in cooperative instinct, the full domestication of the cat (about 4,000 years ago) was not so easily achieved. Nomads of the upper Sudan area of Egypt established their agrarian communities in the rich soil of the Nile Valley.

Cultivating crops became a way of life for Egyptians, as it did for the tribes of Africa and primitives of southwestern Asia, where cats later appeared.

Since crops could only be harvested once or twice a year, the question was how to store the life-giving grain without losing it to rats, mice and other vermin. Before long people noticed that the local cat population ate the rats that ate the grain, which was a very good thing indeed.

Wanting to rid the area of rodents, people welcomed cats into their communities with open arms. The perfect supply side economics involved the farmers who wanted their grain intact, rodents who wanted the grain, and cats who wanted the rodents. The farmers encouraged cats to stay around the house and farm by leaving milk-soaked bread, fish-heads and other scraps of food to attract cats. Cats discovered an ecological niche for themselves, a steady source of food, and affection from their human company.

The relationship between Egyptians and cats was unique. During that period of time, Egyptians owned all kinds of animals including cattle, sheep, fowl, pigs, and monkeys. Cats freely roamed the land and came and went at will.

Cats were held in such high regard that laws were created to protect them. Due to the cat’s exalted status, a religious order of cat worship developed that lasted for more than 2,000 years. The cat goddess Bastet became one of the most revered figures of worship. Bastet had the body of a woman and the head of a cat. Associated with fertility, motherhood, grace, and beauty, Bastet’s largest temple was in the city of Bubastis. The word for cat in ancient Egypt was “mau,” similar to our “meow,” a universal cat word.

Inscription on the royal tombs in Thebes read:

Thou art the Great Cat, the avenger of the gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; thou art indeed…the Great Cat

During the reign of the Pharaohs, it was considered a capital crime to kill or injure a cat, even if the cat died through an unfortunate accident. If a house caught fire, the rule went like this – cats first, humans second. If a cat should die of natural causes the entire household into elaborate mourning with chanting and pounding of chests as an outward sign of grief. The body of the cat had to be wrapped in linen and delivered to the priest who inspected the cat’s body to be certain he had died a natural death.

After death the body was embalmed, wrapped again in linen, decorated and either buried in special cemeteries or entombed in temples. Thousands of cat mummies were preserved in a huge temple at Bubastis. Mouse mummies were also found in the tombs, to assure that the cat had food for the journey into the afterlife. In fact, the Egyptians so loved their cats that cat mummies outnumbered human mummies by far. Over 300,000 cat mummies were found in one excavation alone at Beni-Hassan in the 1800s.

Because the Egyptians so prized their feline companions, there was a strict enforcement of the law against exporting cats. However, cats were so good at catching rodents they soon found their way aboard barges on the Nile River as mouse catchers and companions to captains and sailors.

Cats soon sailed aboard ships to countries bordering the Mediterranean including Greece and Italy. Overland caravans lengthened the cat’s popularity to the north and east. Slowly cats migrated to India, China, and Japan, where they were highly prized as pets and impressive rodent killers.

Once royalty in Egypt, cats today have not forgotten their heritage. Lucky for us, the cat is here to stay.

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

6 Ways to Read Your Cat’s Mind

By: Christian Yost

April 12, 2009

Wouldn’t you love to know what your cat is thinking? You can sit and watch your cat for hours but you never know just what is going on behind those big dreamy blue (or green or amber) eyes. Your cat squints at you, fluttering his eyelids until they almost close. He switches his tail. Is he angry or just excited? We may not know, but we can make some pretty good assumptions about what cats are thinking based upon the full context of their behavioral signing and events that normally follow.

The Eyes Have It

Look into your cat’s eyes and you can tell a lot about his state of mind. The direction of your cat’s gaze will direct you to the subject of his attention. But gazes vary. Some are intense and focused while others are haphazard. When your cat stares without blinking, does he want something from you or is he feeling hostility? Either could be true.

Although a fixed gaze and rigid body posture might mean hostility, the same look might be soliciting petting or some other form of attention in a relaxed, purring cat.

Another fairly definite eye sign relates to pupil size. If your cat’s pupils are constricted and slit-like, his mood is probably ambient, bordering on vegetative. Or perhaps it’s predatory. However, if your cat’s pupils become fully dilated in broad daylight, appearing as large black pools, he’s either in pain or ready to fight or run away. Increased pupil size is not intended to intimidate other cats or people but rather to allow more light into the eyes. Cats’ pupils are always large at night but veterinarians learn very quickly to beware when a cat’s pupils are fully dilated in a brightly lit examination room.

The degree of opening of the eyelids can tell a tale, too. Wide-open eyes correlate with alertness and increased levels of mental activity – ready for action, if you will. Semi-closed or fluttering eyes mean that the cat is in a more dozy, complacent mood or may be in the mood for a nap. So if your cat’s eyelids flutter and periodically close while he is looking at you, it is a sign of faith or trust. Even if he is on the brink of falling asleep at the time, squinting at you is still a compliment because your pet is showing that he is comfortable and trusting enough to take a nap in your presence.

The Ears Have It, Too

A cat’s ears can adopt several different positions and for several different reasons:

Ears erect and forward – alert, with attention focused ahead

Ears swiveled sideways like a swing-wing fighter – on the offensive

Ears pressed backward onto the head giving the appearance of a snake – extreme defense (ears folded back to protect them from harm)

One ear forward and one back – ambivalence

Ears rotating like radar dishes – listening carefully in an attempt to find the source of the sound.

Mouth

Your cat normally keeps his mouth closed. This tells us very little about a cat’s motivation. When the mouth is open, however, you can sometimes learn about your cat’s motivation.

The gape. Your cat gets a far-away look, allows the bottom jaw to drop, and looks as if it’s grimacing in pain. What he’s actually doing is savoring certain pheromonal odors on the breeze.

Open mouth with lips retracted. Your cat stares, bears his teeth and hisses. This indicates intimidation and aggression.

The yawn. Yawning indicates stress, ambivalence, or sometimes preparedness for action.

Head and Body Position

A cat on the offensive often walks directly toward the subject of his angst with his head held low and moving slowly from side to side, with his eyes fixed on the target. When in this mode, your cat will swivel his ears sideways and his body will appear wedge-shaped as his rear legs stiffen. Watch out for this cat: He means business.

When your cat is on the defensive, he will hunker down while backing up and lean away from the threat. His head is sometimes deflected to one side giving the appearance of a sideways glance and he will vocalize (hiss, growl or shriek). Other signs of defensive aggression include extension of claws in readiness for a fight, and piloerection (hair raised) – making him appear larger and thus more fearsome. A cat in this posture is less likely to attack than retreat – because he is afraid.

Tell-Tail Signs

Tail position and movement offers insight into your cat’s psyche. Basically a cat’s tail can be up, down, or sideways; it can be curved or straight; and it can be still or moving. Here’s how to interpret the various positions and movements of the tail:

Tail tucked – fearful, defensive

Tail held at half-mast and moving slowly from side to side – indicates mild interest

Tail vertical or straight up – indicates anticipation and/or greeting

Tail vertical but curved to one side – indicates playfulness

Tail curved over the cat’s back – indicates expectation/monitoring

Tail held completely to one side in a female – indicates sexual receptivity

Tail held low with tip twitching – indicates a stalking, predatory stance

Tail frantically switching in wide arcs – indicates heightened affect/aggression

Tail puffed up (piloerect) – indicates fear and aggression

Marking Signs

Bunting. Your cat may rub or push his face against objects with his forehead, cheeks or chin. What your cat is doing is marking them with subtle biological scents. Some say that a cat’s rubbing with the forehead or cheeks indicates affection, but rubbing with the chin is usually reserved for territorial marking.

Furniture scratching. Contrary to popular belief, furniture scratching is not the cat’s way of sharpening his claws but is a form of visual and scent marking. Your cat’s paws are equipped with scent glands to facilitate this function. Territorial concerns will increase furniture scratching/marking and should be addressed if furniture scratching becomes a problem.

Marking objects with urine or feces. This is an even more distasteful form of marking behavior to most cat owners. The function is similar to furniture marking signifying an olfactory warning.

Anal sac secretions. Your cat may sometimes discharge his anal sac when in situations of extreme fear. Anal sac secretions are thought to contain a fear pheromone that serves to remind the cat not to pass that way again.

There are benefits to caring cat owners in obtaining glimpses into the mind of their pet because it enhances their bond with their cat and facilitates communication. So, next time you are alone with your cat and don’t have anything to do, try reading your cat’s mind. You’ll probably learn something you didn’t know before and have a greater understanding because of it.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Understanding Cat Communication

By: Christian Yost

April 12,2009

Although cats have a reputation for being independent, there are times and situations when they can (and do) interact with others of their own kind and humans in a social way. When motivated, they make their needs and wishes known to others without the benefit of speech or language as we know it. Cats have subtle ways of communicating, some of which have eluded scientific scrutiny for years. The senses and behaviors cats use to facilitate communication include vision/eye position, olfaction, touch, voice, body language, and operant actions.

Vision/Eye Position

A blind cat is at a serious disadvantage when it comes to communication because so many signals sent and received by cats are visual. On the aggressive end of ocular signaling is the stare. An irate cat will transfix her adversary with a blood-curdling look of animosity and malicious intent. If you’ve even been the subject of one of these looks, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

The corollary to the stare is the fluttering blink of trust and affection. If a cat doesn’t trust another creature, she will keep her eyes wide open. Semi-closed eyelids are indicative of trust. (“See, I don’t even have to keep my eyes open.”)

Without vision, a wealth of communication is lost, leaving a cat literally in the dark as to the intentions of other animals nearby. All is not lost, however, as auditory, olfactory, and tactile signals will help fill in the blanks.

Audition/Vocalization

Cats make a variety of sounds in a variety of intonations. McKinley (1982) classified cats’ vocalizations into two basic categories – pure (simple) sounds and complex (multiple) sounds. Pure sounds include the growl, squeak, shriek, hiss, spit and chatter. Complex sounds include the mew, meow and moan.

The growl, shriek, hiss and spit are pure sounds that communicate aggression. To another cat there may be some qualitative differences between these warnings. For example, it may be that the hiss and growl signal two levels of warning whereas the spit and shriek are more extreme utterances inferring that “boiling point” has been reached or exceeded.

The only benign communication in the pure sound group is the squeak – a high-pitched, raspy cry given in play or in anticipation of feeding.

Chattering is not a sound used in communication but rather is reflexive chattering of the teeth brought about by frustrated predatory ambitions (i.e. seeing birds on a feeder on the other side of a window).

Two complex sounds are interesting: the mew and the meow. The mew may just be the kittenish equivalent of the adult meow as, like the meow, it signals a wish for attention from a benevolent attention-seeker. The meow is made up of two sounds, phonetically “me” and “ow.” The former is thought to mean “here I am” and the latter “don’t hurt me.”Kittens , of course, direct the mew toward their mothers. Adult cats direct the meow toward humans perhaps because, as cats’ feeders and groomers, we fill a parental role.

Touch

Cats groom other cats, and sometimes their significant humans, as an altruistic stress-relieving measure. Perhaps they expect payback at some time in the future (reciprocal altruism) but it is nonetheless an affectionate gesture. This form of grooming is tendered and received in a way that indicates close relationships or mutual bonding.

Operant Behaviors

Cats will sometimes indicate their intentions by their movements. Walking directly toward another cat or person is an indication that she is about to initiate an interaction some way. If the cat’s tense body posture or angry vocalizations indicate trouble it may be a good time to run and hide, though if the cat appears relaxed and happy and is squeaking softly it may simply be trying to get your attention.

When they want to be fed, cats will often walk obliquely in front of an owner seemingly trying to trip them up. Entwining themselves around a stationary person’s legs also indicates that it’s time for food or attention. Bunting, or head rubbing, is an affectionate gesture that involves marking with special biological scents, called pheromones. Urine marking and furniture scratching – other olfactory communications – signal anxiety or frustration.

Body Language

I reserve the term “body language” for those shows or alterations in a cat’s body “morph” (shape and appearance) that convey a signal to others. Of particular interest are eye signs (like pupillary dilatation), ear signs (e.g. ears swiveled back), head/neck position, and tail position. Body morph changes, however, must be interpreted in context for their significance to be appreciated.

Though body language can indicate a cat’s mood, not all of the signs are emitted consciously for the purpose of communication. For example, a cat doesn’t dilate the pupils, puff up its coat, or flatten the ears, to signal its mood to some other creature, but rather undergoes these transformations automatically. Dilated pupils admit more light; piloerection makes the cat look bigger than it really is; and ears are flattened for their preservation in a fight.

Some body language signals are consciously adopted to ward off unwelcome advances. Previously socialized cats will understand the significance of each other’s body language in this respect. To a cat, an open-mouthed threat is a serious warning, as is a stiffly held body with the head held low and rump elevated.

Not all body language signs are ominous, though. A kitten whose tail position describes a question mark and who is merrily frolicking around is signaling to others that he is ready for play. A cat that curls up on your lap is signaling its trust and affection.

Conclusion

A wealth of information about a cat’s mood and intentions can be gleaned by paying careful attention to its behavior and appearance. With careful observation and attention to detail, it is possible to comprehend with some precision whether a cat is fearful or irritated, hungry or angry, in prey mode or relaxed, seeking your attention or trying to avoid you. Cats communication systems may not be as sophisticated as our own but they achieve the desired effect. Cats never did find it necessary to discuss where they came from or where they go after death. They just live for the minute and communicate what they need to communicate with regard to their likes and dislikes, needs and wants, affection and trust. Greater love hath no cat than this.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

How Cats Communicate

By: Christian Yost

April 12, 2009

Although cats have a reputation for being solitary animals, they have developed an elaborate system for communicating with each other. Scent, body language, touch, and sound help one cat learn about another. Your cat will use the same tools to communicate with you.

Following Their Noses

Odors are one of the most important ways your cat learns about his environment and other cats that live in it. If your cat lived outside, he would use urine to scent-mark his territory, backing up to an object, squirting urine on it, and leaving a pungent odor for any feline passers-by to smell. While not having the effect of keeping other cats away, urine marks alert other cats to the presence of the marking cat.

If you’ve had your cat neutered before he began spraying, he should not urine mark inside your home, but he may use his sense of smell in other ways to identify his space.

Depositing facial pheromones by rubbing his cheeks on objects increases your cat’s comfort level and helps him navigate around his environment. If you have more than one cat, you will notice them butting heads and rubbing their cheeks on the other. Only cats comfortable with each other will engage in this mutual rubbing. Once they have determined that it is safe, cats will approach each other and raise their tails, each allowing the other cat to sniff their rear end – a sign of mutual acceptance.

Body Language

About 70 percent of human communication is nonverbal, resulting from changes we detect in the way a person sits, walks, or changes expression. Your cat also uses body movements and facial expressions to let you and other cats know what’s on his mind. To determine what your cat is thinking, observe his body language as a whole rather than simply one aspect of it. For example, if your cat’s pupils are dilated, it may mean that your cat is becoming aggressive and wants to fight, it may mean he’s fearful, or it may mean his eyes are accommodating to low light.

A relaxed, contented cat points his ears forward, half closes his eyes, and purrs. When he becomes more alert, his eyes open widely and his whiskers stand straight out. If your cat is afraid, he draws his ears back and begins to fold them flat on his head. His pupils dilate. An agitated and aggressive cat has completely dilated pupils, flattened ears, taut facial muscles, forward sweeping whiskers, and may open his mouth to bare his teeth. He is ready to either scare off an intruder or to fight with one.

To a cat, staring is intimidating behavior, and your cat will stare at another cat he wishes to challenge or threaten. To prevent your cat from feeling menaced when you gaze at him, slowly blink your eyes to indicate that the look is benign rather than belligerent.

A defensive cat will be poised for action. He may arch his back and puff up his hair to appear larger. If your cat feels totally relaxed with another cat or with you, he will roll over and bare his belly – a sign of total submission. Be careful, though. Just because he shows you his belly doesn’t mean he wants it rubbed. Some cats enjoy belly rubs while others don’t and forcing the issue may make your cat aggressive. He may claw your hands.

Moving his tail is another way your cat sends non-verbal signals. A tail held high above a cat’s back is a sign of dignity and self-respect. A cat holding his tail in a lowered state says that he is relaxed and content. A rapidly flicking tail indicates annoyance and ambiguity.

Cat Talk

Your cat will tell you what he needs through vocalization as well as body language. In the wild, cats have two sets of language – one to communicate between mother and offspring and another to communicate with other adults within their territory. The pitch, intensity, frequency, rapidity, and volume of the meowing reflect your cat’s different emotional states and physical needs. The more rapid, intense, and loud are the vocalizations, the more panicked, scared, and anxious your cat may feel. Conversely, the slower and less intense the vocalizations are, the more confident or potentially assertive your cat is being.

Your cat’s vocal patterns will fall into three categories. The first is murmur patterns, including purring, that indicates a calm, friendly state. Vowel patterns indicate a need for food or other needs and desires. Loud, strained, intense sounds, including hissing, growling, and screaming, are associated with mating or aggression toward a human or other animal.

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Understanding “Cat Talk” – What is Your Kitty Saying?

By: Christian Yost

April 11, 2009

Does your cat make a variety of noises? Many cats will have a variety of vocal sounds to communicate different needs and meanings. Here are some common sounds with the meanings that they often convey.

Chatter – In people, to “chatter” is to talk noisily or conversationally. In cats, it is often a unique sound that is from the throat and often associated with a very quick fast movement of their lower jaw. It is most commonly made when a cat is excited about its prey –either outside or looking out the window. They often make this sound while stalking and just prior to attacking their prey.

Chirp – A chirp is often a high-pitched sound that is often a surprised greeting. My cat does it when I come home and he sees me walk in for the first time. It is something between a squeak and a “chirp”. It is often like a surprised “Hi”! Some cats will also do it when they want some attention as if to say – “Hey there, what about me?”

Growl – A growl is a low guttural vocalization produced as a warning. It is a sign of aggression or used to express anger. Some cats that growl will strike with their claws or bite and others use it as an expression of anger. Some people consider the growl like “Kitty cussing”.

Hiss – A “hiss” is a sharp sound similar to a sustained “S”. It is often used to communicate disapproval or dissatisfaction with their situation. Many cats will hiss at another cat saying “Hey stop it” or “Get away”. Some cats will also hiss if they are frightened. Often a hiss is an initial response to help scare away a threat. If that doesn’t work, many cats will follow-up the hiss with a growl or attack.

Purr – A purr is a throaty vibrant sound made by a cat. The sound varies in tone and loudness from cat to cat. Some cats purr so loudly you can hear it across the room and their entire bodies vibrate. Other cats have a very quiet purr. The purr can mean different things to different cats. The most common meaning of the purr is that a cat is happy and content. It is most commonly seen when cats are being fed, starting to eat, being petted and adored.

However, some cats will purr when they are sick or scared. Some cats will purr at either situation. For example, I have a cat that purrs when he is content and happy and will also purr when he is scared such as when he is having blood drawn. The purr is often different. It is a slower relaxed pace when he is content and a faster pace when he is scared. Some behaviorists believe that the purr is comforting to the cat and in situations such as when they are scared, do it to for “self-comfort”.

Meow – A kitty meow is a sound that is unique to every cat and many cats will have several types of meows. Meows generally are calls for attention of some sort – either to say, “watch it”, “what about me” or “watch me”. Some cats will have a short quick meow when they meet eyes with you across the room as if to say – Hi – I see you too. Some cats meow when they are in pain, which is often a high, pitched loud guttural meow.

Listen to your cat and pay attention to what he or she wants and is trying to communicate at the time. This will help you to better understand his “cat talk”.

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How much water does your cat really need?

By: Christian Yost

April 9, 2009

How much water does your cat really need?

That’s a good question. But before I answer it, I want to talk about the importance of water to your cat’s health.

It simply cannot be overstated how important water is to your cat’s health and well being. It helps digest food, absorb nutrients, flush out waste and control body temperature. Next to oxygen, water is the most important nutrient in your cat’s body.

Cats can go for days without food. They can lose up to 40 percent of their body weight and still survive. But when a cat loses just 10 percent of its body’s water, bodily functions shut down causing serious illness. A 15 percent loss of -body water will kill him.

So how much water does your cat need?

A general rule of thumb is that cats need about 1 ounce of water a day for every pound of body weight. So, a 9-pound cat needs about 9 ounces of water a day, which is about 2 quarts of water a week. (Water requirements for cats with kidney failure, urinary tract disease or bladder infections are even higher.)

Unfortunately, most cats just don’t drink enough water to stay healthy.

So what can you do to get your cat to drink more water?

Here are a few tips:

1. Make it more appealing. Keep the water bowl clean. If you wouldn’t drink from it, chances he won’t want to either. Wash the bowl every day and disinfect it regularly to control bacteria. Change the water several times a day.

2. The better the water tastes, the more likely your cat is to drink it. Try adding some water from a can of tuna to change the taste, or use bottled or filtered water. Cats are cool … and that’s the way they like their water.

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Easter Lilies – Not Just a Pretty Flower?

By: Christian Yost

April 1, 2009

The Easter lily is as common in many spring homes as chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. But did you know this popular flower is toxic to your cat? In fact, other members of the lily family have been found to be toxic, including the day lily and the tiger lily (although there’s no need to worry about the non-toxic calla lily, peace lily, or glory lily). Eating just one leaf of a toxic lily can result in severe poisoning, and within a short time your cat will exhibit signs of toxicity.

Signs and Symptoms

The primary toxic effects are on the kidneys. Within minutes to hours of ingesting part of the lily plant, your cat might stop eating and begin vomiting. As the toxin begins to affect the kidneys, the cat will become lethargic. Finally, he will experience kidney failure and death will generally occur within five days.

Once you suspect your cat has eaten part of a lily plant, it is important that you contact your veterinarian immediately. If treatment is started early, chances are your cat will recover, but once the kidneys have been severely affected, your cat may not survive.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing lily toxicity is generally based on a history of exposure to the plant and signs of vomiting and dehydration. Your veterinarian will probably do some preliminary blood tests to determine if any kidney damage has occurred, and repeat them once treatment has been started to determine if treatment is effective.

The treatment generally consists of hospitalization and intravenous fluids. Your veterinarian may also give your cat medication to control nausea and vomiting. Home care will not result in full recovery.

Prevention

Obviously, the best prevention of lily toxicity is to keep lily plants away from your cat. If you bring lilies into the house, you may have to keep them in a separate room where your nibbling cat cannot enter. Better still, consider choosing other springtime flowers instead, like impatiens or gardenias, and leave the lilies outside.

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com